Methods and apparatus for intravenous tubing

Abstract

The present invention provides, among other things, a tubing apparatus that allows for better organization of tubes within a system by permanently coupling medical tubes. Generally, this invention comprises a primary tube and a secondary tube, wherein the secondary tube is permanently coupled to the primary tube at least partially along the secondary tube's length. The primary tube comprises at least one coupling port to which one end of the secondary tube fluidly couples.

I claim:  
     
       1. A tubing apparatus, comprising:
 a flexible primary tube having a first length and configured to intravenously deliver fluid to a patient, comprising:
 a first end; 
 a second end opposite the first end; and 
 at least one coupling port proximate the second end; and 
 
 a flexible secondary tube having a second length, the second length being shorter than the first length, comprising:
 a proximal end configured to couple with a device to administer fluid to a patient; and 
 a distal end fluidly-coupled to the flexible primary tube coupling port, 
 
 wherein only an outer surface of the flexible secondary tube is permanently coupled at least partially along its length only to an outer surface of the flexible primary tube and the flexible secondary tube runs in a direction parallel to the flexible primary tube, and 
 wherein the flexible primary tube and the flexible secondary tube each include a uniform circumferential inner surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible secondary tube is permanently coupled only at its distal end to the primary tube. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible secondary tube is permanently coupled only at its proximal end to the primary tube. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible secondary tube is permanently coupled only at its distal and proximal ends to the flexible primary tube. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible secondary tube is permanently coupled only at a portion between its proximal and distal ends to the flexible primary tube. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible secondary tube is coupled intermittently along its length to the flexible primary tube. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the flexible secondary tube is within a range of 2 to 5 feet long. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible primary tube is an IV tube. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible secondary tube is a micro bore IV tube. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible secondary tube has an internal diameter that is within a range of 0.3 millimeters to 1.3 millimeters. 
     
     
       11. A method of manufacturing a tubing apparatus, comprising:
 providing a flexible primary tube having a first length and configured to intravenously deliver fluid to a patient, comprising:
 a first end; 
 a second end opposite the first end; and 
 at least one coupling port proximate the second end; and 
 
 aligning a flexible secondary tube along its length in a direction parallel to the flexible primary tube, the flexible secondary tube having a second length, the second length being shorter than the first length, wherein the flexible secondary tube comprises:
 a proximal end configured to couple with a device to administer fluid to a patient; and 
 a distal end fluidly-coupled to the flexible primary tube coupling port; and 
 
 permanently coupling only an outer surface of the flexible primary tube to only an outer surface of the flexible secondary tube at least partially along the flexible secondary tube's length, 
 wherein the flexible primary tube and the flexible secondary tube each include a uniform circumferential inner surface. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein permanently coupling the flexible secondary tube to the flexible primary tube only occurs at the secondary tube distal end. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein permanently coupling the flexible secondary tube to the flexible primary tube only occurs at the flexible secondary tube proximal end. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein permanently coupling the flexible secondary tube to the flexible primary tube only occurs at the flexible secondary tube distal and proximal ends. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , wherein permanently coupling the flexible secondary tube to the flexible primary tube only occurs at a portion between the flexible secondary tube distal and proximal ends. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11 , wherein permanently coupling the flexible secondary tube to the flexible primary tube occurs intermittently along the length of the flexible secondary tube. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible primary tube is an IV tube. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the flexible secondary tube is a micro bore IV tube. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the primary tube is coupled to an IV bag, the second end of the primary tube is coupled to a catheter, and the proximal end secondary tube is coupled with a device to administer fluid to a patient. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a fluid passes from the proximal end to the distal end of the secondary tube faster than a fluid passes from the first end to the second end of the primary tube.